Spring structure



Patented May 21, 1935 '7 SPRING STRUCTURE, j Clair, s. Read, Jackson,Mich, assignor to;

( Reynolds Spring Company, Jackson, Mich a corporation ofDelawareApplication l ovember 2, 1933; Serial Nb. seas 3--Claims. (or. 155-479)I u fCostigan type embodying the present invention,

The present invention relates to improvements in spring structure forseats, backs, cushions and the like, and particularly relates to: springstructures of theCostigan type as illustratectin Reissue Patent No.l8,30. a 3 l In springstructures of, the above described type,

especiallyxwhen the same; is to be usedfin seats and backsof vehicleswhere it is subjected to repeated extreme deflection, it is necessary toprovide some means for preventing the flexible wire or its equivalentemployed in'reinforcing the upper edge of the; listing strips betweenadjacent rows of springs from working out of position. The presentpractice is to clip the top helices of adjacent springs tothe reinforcededge of the listing strips through the use of a wire or metalcontractible fastener. This fastener pierces the listing strip andencircles the member reinforcing the edge thereof. Especially when wireis employed to reinforce the listing strips, unless at least one end ofthe same is secured to the upper border, differential deflection of therows of springs to which the listing strips are attached results in ashortening of the overall length of the wire and relative movementbetween the wire and the associated elements tends to work the wire outof proper position. As any non-yieldableinterconnection between theborder frame and the central spring coils interferes with the individualaction of the component parts of the spring structure and impairs thefeel and riding qualities of the same, such practice is objectionable.

Thus it becomes the object of the present invention to provide a springstructure of the Costigan type in which the listing strips arereinforced at the edges with some member, such as wire, which issubstantially of a non-longitudinal extensible character, there beinglongitudinally extensible resilient members connectingthe ends of thereinforcing memberswith the upper frame to correctly position themembers and to assist in the alignment and positioning of the springsconnected to the listing strip. With such an arrangement, a straightwire member having sulficient transverse rigidity to distribute thestress upon the listing strips retaining the spring coils under initialcompression may be advantageously employed. At the same time, the wiremembers reinforcing the listing strips may be yieldably positioned fromthe upper border obviating any objectionable limitation being placedupon the deflection of the spring coils relative to the upper borderframe.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a spring structure of the Fig.2 is anenlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig 1. i u

Fig. 3 isan enlarged ,fragmentaryview of a detail of construction. i I 1Having reference to Fig. 1, a spring structure In is shown of anysuitable confisurationand contour having an upper border frame i l,which in most cases will be fabricated from wire Coil springs I2 of anysuitable well known construction are shown as arranged in rows withvertically disposed listing strips l3 of fabric vor other fiexlblematerial located between adjacent rows. The border rows of springslocated within the frame I I are clipped thereto in the'usual manner.Ihe listingstrips. 13 between adjacent rows'of springs are'hemmed orotherwiseconstrllbted to accomg modat and'position reinforcing membersalong their longitudinal edges as disclosed in the above patent.Suitable fasteners or clips l4 embrace the top helices of adjacentsprings and pierce the strips l3 to encircle the upper edges l5 whichare reinforced by the longitudinally extending flexible wire members I6.The lower edges of the strips l3 may be secured to the bottom helices ofthe springs in a manner similar to the top helices; however, the memberI! reinforcing the lower edges need not be flexible nor connected to theframe of the spring structure in the manner to be hereinafter describedin view of the fact that the lower or base helices of the springs arenot deflected during use. As fully described in the above mentionedpatent the listing strips [3 function to retain the springs under aninitial compression to improve the riding quality of the structure andto effect the proper contour.

According'to the present invention, the wire members It reinforcing thelisting strips are terminated short of the upper border frame H at bothends and are looped at the ends to provide eyes l8. These loopedportions prevent the wire upon shortening through central deflectionfrom being drawn through the fasteners I4 securing adjacent top helicesof border springs.

For yieldingly maintaining the wires "5 in prop- By the foregoingdescribed arrangement, the wires [6 are yieldably positioned within thehem of the listing strips I3 obviating any possibility of the wiresworking out of place and being projected through the upholstering. Atthe same time, differential deflection of the springs in a row attachedto a common reinforced edge of the listing strip is -made possiblewithout any objectionable tendency to suspend the central spring fromthe border springs and/or frame thus permitting more complete individualaction of the respective springs.

It is to be understood that the fasteners or clips [4 can not incommercial construction be applied sufliciently snug to prohibitslippage of the wire IS in the hem l5; For this reason no particularattention needbe given this operation.

Having described one particular embodiment of the invention it is to beappreciated that I contemplate other possible forms and structuralchanges, especially those having reference to the yieldable connectionsbetween the reinforcing member and the border frame, which fall withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

, short of said upper frame, fastening means securing said members tosaid springs to place the same under compression, and longitudinallyextensible resilient members connecting the ends of the upperreinforcing members to said upper frame whereby substantially individualaction of the springs within said border springs is permitted.

2. In a spring structure, a base frame, an upper frame, rows of springsarranged within and between said frames, strips of fabric of less heightthan the normal expansion of said springs arranged between adjacent rowsof springs, flexible members reinforcing the longitudinal edges of saidstrips, the upper members being terminated short of said upper frame,fastening means securing said members to said springs to place thesameunder compression, and longitudinally extensible resilient membersconnecting the ends of the upper reinforcing members to said upperframe.

3. In a spring structure, a base frame, an upper frame, rows of springsarranged within and between said frames, strips of fabric of less heightthan the normal expansion of said springs arranged between adjacent rowsof springs, wire members reinforcing the longitudinal edges of saidstrips of which at least the upper" members are flexible, the uppermembers being terminated short of said upper frame, fastening meanspierccuring said strips to said springs to place the same undercompression, said means fixedly engaging said strips and slidablyembracing said members, and longitudinally extensible resilient membersconnecting the ends of the upper reinforcing members of said frame.

CLAIR S. REED.

